Carroll County, Indiana

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Carroll County, Indiana
Carrol County 1916.jpg
Carroll County courthouse in Delphi
Map of Indiana highlighting Carroll County
Location in the state of Indiana
Map of the U.S. highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location in the U.S.
Founded 1828
Seat Delphi
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

375.02 sq mi (971 km²)
372.22 sq mi (964 km²)
2.80 sq mi (7 km²), 0.75%
Population
 - (2010)
 - Density

20,155
54/sq mi (21/km²)
Congressional district 2nd
Website www.carrollcountyindiana.com
Footnotes:  

Indiana county number 8

Carroll County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 20,155.[1] The county seat is Delphi[2].

Carroll County is part of the Lafayette, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Contents

History[edit]

Carroll County was formed in 1828 and named for Charles Carroll, the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence, who died in 1832. The county seat of Delphi was established the same year by General Samuel Milroy. The Wabash and Erie Canal, built through the county in 1840 and operating until the early 1870s, is among the county's most significant historical legacies.

Courthouse[edit]

The current Carroll County courthouse was designed by Elmer E. Dunlap of Indianapolis, who also designed the Spencer County courthouse. It was constructed by A. E. Kemmer at a cost of about $250,000 from 1916 to 1917. The exterior is understated, but the interior is surprisingly elaborate, including a stained glass dome over a mosaic tile floor.

This building is the county's third courthouse. The first was built in 1831-1838. It was replaced by a brick structure in 1856; this building was designed by M. J. McBird of Logansport and had a tower at each corner, including a clock tower. The 730-pound bell from the first courthouse was made in Cincinnati in 1836 and given by Sheriff Samuel Davis Gresham, and was used in the second courthouse until 1916. While the bell was in transit to Lafayette by boat, the boat sank; the bell was later recovered from the Ohio River. It was later sold, but was returned to Carroll County in 1967.[3]

Geography[edit]

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 375.02 square miles (971.3 km2), of which 372.22 square miles (964.0 km2) (or 99.25%) is land and 2.80 square miles (7.3 km2) (or 0.75%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties[edit]

Cities and towns[edit]

Unincorporated towns[edit]

Extinct towns[edit]

Townships[edit]

Rainbow-fringed clouds above a farm and soybean fields in rural Jackson Township.

Major highways[edit]

Railroads[edit]

Climate and weather[edit]

Delphi, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
2
 
33
17
 
 
1.9
 
39
21
 
 
2.9
 
51
31
 
 
3.5
 
64
40
 
 
3.9
 
74
50
 
 
4.1
 
83
60
 
 
4.2
 
86
63
 
 
4
 
84
61
 
 
2.9
 
78
53
 
 
2.7
 
66
42
 
 
3.1
 
51
33
 
 
2.7
 
38
23
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[5]

In recent years, average temperatures in Delphi have ranged from a low of 17 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of −25 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1963 and a record high of 107 °F (42 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.94 inches (49 mm) in February to 4.16 inches (106 mm) in July.[5]

Government[edit]

The county government is a constitutional body, and is granted specific powers by the Constitution of Indiana, and by the Indiana Code.

County Council: The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four-year terms. They are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council also has limited authority to impose local taxes, in the form of an income and property tax that is subject to state level approval, excise taxes, and service taxes.[6][7]

Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four-year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.[6][7]

Court: The county maintains a small claims court that can handle some civil cases. The judge on the court is elected to a term of four years and must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association. The judge is assisted by a constable who is also elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court.[7]

County Officials: The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare a party affiliation and to be residents of the county.[7]

Carroll County is part of Indiana's 2nd congressional district and in 2008 was represented by Joe Donnelly in the United States Congress.[8] It is also part of Indiana Senate district 7[9] and Indiana House of Representatives district 24.[10]

Demographics[edit]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 20,165 people, 7,718 households, and 5,688 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile (21/km²). There were 8,675 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.65% White, 0.20% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 1.39% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. 2.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.8% were of American, 25.1% German, 9.8% Irish and 8.8% English ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 7,718 households out of which 33.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.50% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.30% were non-families. 22.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.30% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,677, and the median income for a family was $50,216. Males had a median income of $35,348 versus $21,385 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,436. About 4.30% of families and 6.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.00% of those under age 18 and 6.30% of those age 65 or over.

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1830 1,611
1840 7,819 385.4%
1850 11,015 40.9%
1860 13,489 22.5%
1870 16,152 19.7%
1880 18,345 13.6%
1890 20,021 9.1%
1900 19,953 −0.3%
1910 17,970 −9.9%
1920 16,315 −9.2%
1930 15,049 −7.8%
1940 15,410 2.4%
1950 16,010 3.9%
1960 16,934 5.8%
1970 17,734 4.7%
1980 19,722 11.2%
1990 18,809 −4.6%
2000 20,165 7.2%
2010 20,155 0%
Sources: United States Department of Commerce,
Bureau of the Census, Population Division[12]
Census Quickfacts[1]

Education[edit]

Public schools in Carroll County are administered by the Carroll Consolidated School District and the Delphi Community School Corporation.

High schools and middle schools

Elementary schools

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Carroll County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-09-17. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
  3. ^ Counts, Will; Jon Dilts (1991). The 92 Magnificent Indiana Courthouses. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. pp. 22–23. ISBN 978-0-253-33638-5. 
  4. ^ "Census 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. Retrieved 2011-10-10. 
  5. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Delphi, Indiana". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2011-01-27. 
  6. ^ a b Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved 2008-09-16. 
  7. ^ a b c d Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2". IN.gov. Retrieved 2008-09-16. 
  8. ^ "US Congressman Joe Donnelly". US Congress. Retrieved 2008-10-08. 
  9. ^ "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved 2011-01-23. 
  10. ^ "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved 2011-01-23. 
  11. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  12. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (editor) (1996). Population of states and counties of the United States: 1790 to 1990 : from the twenty-one decennial censuses. United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Population Division. pp. 50–53. ISBN 0-934213-48-8. 

External links[edit]

Coordinates: 40°35′N 86°34′W / 40.58°N 86.56°W / 40.58; -86.56